Definition
A predetermined geographical position used for route definition or progress reporting, defined in terms of latitude and longitude coordinates. Waypoints may be named (with a five-letter identifier such as DEXTR or BAYST) or unnamed, and may be positioned over a navigation aid or at any point in space. They are the building blocks of area navigation (RNAV) routes and procedures.
Plain English
A specific spot in the sky, defined by its exact latitude and longitude, that a pilot uses as a turning point or checkpoint along a route. Modern navigation systems fly from one waypoint to the next.
Context Anchor
Seen on GPS flight plans, instrument procedures, navigation charts, air traffic control clearances, and published visual routes.
Derivation
From 'way' (route or path) plus 'point' (a specific location). The term originally comes from marine and overland navigation, where travelers marked specific points along a journey. In aviation it kept the same plain meaning: a defined point along the way.
Why Pilots Care
Waypoints let pilots create precise routes that the aircraft can follow automatically, improving accuracy and reducing pilot workload.
Analogy
Like a checkpoint on a road trip map that you aim for before turning toward the next one.
Intuition Check
A waypoint is not just any point on a map. In aviation, it is a specific, defined position used for navigation or reporting.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the pilot turned direct to the first waypoint on the filed route.
Example Sentence 2
As the aircraft reached the waypoint, the GPS automatically switched to the next point on the route.